2014!

This year has brought us many ups and downs.
It has brought us new friends and we have had to say goodbye to some friends too.
It's given us new adventures and old traditions.
We have started new ministries and some exciting lessons.
This year was full of memories.
But most of all this year was full of love for God and each other.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-----Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Day six: six geese a-laying. Eggs are an almost universal symbol of new life. The laying geese symbolize the six days of creation where God was bringing new life to this earth.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  The gospels were written to help us to not only help us to believe but also to help us grow in our faith.  John 20:30-31 says, “30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three French Hens. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says “Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.” French Hens were very expensive when this song was written so they can also be symbols of the three expensive gifts the wise men brought: Gold, Frankincense and myrrh.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two turtle doves that remind us that our Bible is broken into two parts the Old and New Testament. The doves are symbols too. In the Old Testament, before Jesus’ death on the cross, it is acceptable for the poor to sacrifice two turtledoves as an offering that helps to bring peace with God. It is believed that when Mary and Joseph come to Jerusalem after Christ’s birth, they sacrificed two of these birds.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 4 Day 5 - Christmas Day

Day Five

“. . . all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:18).

      If we had heard what the shepherds had to say, we probably would have been amazed too. Shepherds were not very high on the social register. Why would God send His angel to them, of all people? They paid attention, and obeyed, two very good qualities.

      Prayer: Father, I bow in amazement at the wonder of Jesus’ birth

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

The 12 Days of Christmas are the days that are between Jesus’ birth and when the wise men come to visit Jesus on the day of Epiphany. It is the time in which gifts were given.

Disclaimer for what I am about to read: there is no documents supporting this or any real evidence until the 90’s that this was even possible. But, with that said, it is a great way to help teach children about the foundation of our faith.

Long ago in a land over the ocean and through some woods there were pastors who were told they couldn’t teach their beliefs. After many sleepless nights and a song was born. One that not only reminds us of the twelve days between the day of Christ birth and the day of Epiphany but also all the gifts that God, our True Love has given me, to us, all those who believe in Him.

On the first day of Christmas, his birthday of course, our True love gave to us a partridge in a pear tree. The partridge in the pear tree also represents Him because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 4 Day 4

Day Four

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning . . . this child” (Luke 2:17).

      What is the best gift you received for Christmas? Have you told anyone about it? If it was truly special, you probably have? Have you told anyone about Jesus? He is far better than any gift we find under a tree. He is God’s “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

      Prayer: O God, thank You for giving us Christ, who is worth talking about!

Advent Devotional Reading Week 4 Day 3

Day Three

“So they . . . found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:16).

      Surely all the shepherds had seen babies before. So why leave their sheep to find this particular baby? Because the angel had told them, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” So they found Him. Have you?

      Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are available to all who will seek You.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 4 Day 2

Day Two

“The virgin . . . will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14b-c).

      Centuries later, Matthew would quote this verse (1:23), and remind his readers that “Immanuel” means “God with us.” God could have come down to us as a full-grown man, but incredibly He came as a helpless baby, dependent on human parents. Then He grew up to change the world.

      Prayer: Dear God of the universe, Thank you that you are still Immanuel, God with us today.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 4 Day 1

Day One

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son” (Isaiah 7:14b).

      Virgins do not give birth to babies. If they do, you know they are no longer virgins. Yet this was the miracle God performed in order to bring Jesus into the world, unstained by human sin. He inherited no sin from His father, because His Father was God.

      Prayer:  Heavenly Father, such miracles are too wonderful for us to comprehend, but we thank You. 

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 7

Day Seven

“. . . they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11a).

      The Wise Men bowed before the wisest One who ever lived. The three kings, as they are sometimes called, worshiped the infant King. They presented Him with gifts as a part of their worship. What will you give this Christmas? Why not give Him yourself?

      Prayer: O God, this is my gift this Christmas: I give myself to You.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 6

Day Six

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:10).

      Apparently, the star disappeared for a time. We don’t know if the nights were cloudy or it disappeared for some other reason. But its reappearance brought them joy. They knew their search was almost over. You and I can find Him too when we seek with all our hearts.

      Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making it possible to find Your Son Jesus, our Savior

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 5

Day Five

“But you, Bethlehem . . . out of you will come a ruler . . . of my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6).       

      Herod’s counselors found the verses in the book of Micah, predicting the birth of the Promised One. The prophecy even indicated the town where He would be born – Bethlehem, the city of David. God knows where you were born . . . and where you live. Welcome Him there.

      Prayer: Father, You are welcome in my life, during Advent and always.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 4

Day Four

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2a).

      From the east – possibly Persia – the Magi, or Wise Men, came seeking the newborn king. Guided only by a star and their understanding of the heavens, they knew this birth was a momentous occasion. What are you seeking at this season? Or rather, Whom are you seeking?

      Prayer: O God, we know that in You we find all the things our hearts are seeking.

Tuesday Thoughts

"Words over time can impact someone's direction in life."

Words can make or break a person.  They can mend or damage.  Even unspoken words have an impact on us.   Children are impacted by our words over the span of time.  For example, they say it takes over twelve compliments to make up for one bad comment.   When I think of the impact our words have on our children I think of the Great Wall of China.   This can be looked at two ways they use walls to block out our words and so do we as parents.   But also the wall was built over time.  One stone at a time.   It didn't take a day to build.  "Rome wasn't built in a day."   It was built over a span of 20 years.   About the same amount of time we have impact on our children.   Each rock was laid carefully, just like our words should be carefully laid on our children.  Every rock had a purpose and was strategy.   The wall wasn't built by one but thousands of hard workers.   Words spoken on children aren't just the ones their parents say but also those around them.   Our communities have an impact on our children's lives with their words too.   This community includes those we as parents place in our children's lives and also those who our children bring.    It takes time to build something wonderful and to direct a person on a good path.   Sometimes, just like the wall in China, what we have built needs repaired.  Words don't stop once the path is set but need to continue on.    A friend of mine lost her mother right before she left for college.  She said the one thing she missed the most was her mothers words to her.  She longed for those words to be spoken over her again.   She read through letters and notes her mom gave her when she started to forget those impressive words.  It's been over 2000 years since the first stone was laid for the Great Wall of China.   It is never to late to start speaking words of wisdom, love and grace into our children.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 3

Day Three

“Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5).

      By the “house of Jacob,” he means the people of Israel, the children of Abraham. Yet, since Abraham was the father of the faithful, all of us who live by faith are his children too. So to all believers he appeals, “Let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

      Prayer: Lord, in this Advent season, a season of lights, shine Your light on our paths.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 2

Day Two

“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4b).

      From a military mindset to an agricultural mindset. From an attitude bent on destruction to an attitude that produces and shares. This is what God can do for us. But it only happens when we let Him sit at the head of the peace conference table.

      Prayer: Dear God of the universe, bring your peace into our hearts.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 3 Day 1

Day One

“He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3b).

      The prophet says God will teach us His ways, which implies we do not already know them. That is true. But what a willing Teacher He is. When we open our hearts to Him, He does not disappoint us. The question is, will we learn and “walk in his paths”?

      Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I open my mind and heart to You. Please teach me

Advent Devotional Reading Week 2 Day 7

Day Seven

“. . . great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10c).

      Although Jesus was born of Jewish parents in a Jewish town in a Jewish culture, He came for all people. Across the centuries, all who have received Him, regardless of their nationality or background, have become the children of God (John 1:12).

      Prayer: O God, I praise You that you have brought salvation to all who put their trust in You.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 2 Day 6

Day Six

“I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10b).

      What could be better news than to know the long-awaited Messiah had come. “Great joy” almost seems like an understatement. People who knew the Scriptures and had been hoping for the Messiah must have been ecstatic to know He had come. The Promised One came in their lifetime.

      Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have promised that Jesus would come back again. Help us to be ready.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 2 Day 5

Day Five

“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid” (Luke 2:10a).         

      I can understand why the angel told them not to be afraid. The sudden appearance of an angel, shimmering in the darkness, would be enough to make the strongest shepherd shiver in his sandals. However, God’s intention was not to frighten but to enlighten. It still is.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the calm assurance You give when we are frightened.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 2 Day 4

Day Four

“. . . the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night” (Exodus 40:38a).

      God gave them a cloud by day to provide shelter from the hot sun. He gave them fire by night to illuminate the darkness long before flashlights or electric lamps. God thinks of everything. He still promises to supply our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

      Prayer: O God, thank You for Your gracious provision

Advent Devotional Week 2 Day 3

Day Three

“. . . whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out” (Exodus 40:36b).

      The people never had to wonder if it was time to move or stay. When the cloud lifted, it was time to go. When it stayed over the tabernacle, they remained. We don’t have a cloud, but God promised if we acknowledge Him, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

      Prayer: Lord, lead me in the way You want me to go

Tuesdays Thoughts

"Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, 

we can't remember who we are or why we're here."

Before the Scripture was written down it was passed down through stories.  Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if someone decided to stop telling the stories.   I wonder if we would have a church or if the church would look the same if the stories stopped.  

Starting in January we are going to be telling the stories from the Bible.  Each week we are going to go through two stories from the Bible.  These stories give us our foundation.  They help us to know who we are.   They remind us who we are.  

If we don't share these stories with our children then they will not be passed onto them.  If they are not passed onto them then they will die.  We will have a generation of children who won't know who they are or why they are here.

This also goes for our stories.  We need to share the stories of our families with our children.  As a child I loved sitting in the living room listening to the family share stories about things of the past.   It helped me to understand who I am.   Children crave to hear the stories about their families and when they were their age.  They may roll their eyes and say "is your story over yet?" But they are listening.
They are taking in the lessons and the stories to treasure later.  As my grandparents have passed away I lean on the stories that they left us.  Their is only so much a picture can do, words and memories need to be shared.

What stories are you going to share with your kids this week?   Pick one and share it tonight at dinner.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 2 Day 2

Day Two

“. . . the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:35b).

      God’s presence was so real, so palpable, that He filled the tabernacle. Even Moses could not enter until the cloud lifted. It is all the more remarkable that Paul says our bodies are a temple and God’s Spirit lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). That is awesome!

      Prayer: Dear God of the universe, come and fill my life anew with Your presence.

Advent Devotional Reading Week 2 Day 1

Day One

" Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting” (Exodus 40:34a).

      The cloud symbolized the presence of God with the people of Israel. When God first spoke to Moses, He appeared as the fire in a burning bush. When Jesus came as Immanuel – God with us – it was a matter of great significance. He was not a symbol. He was really God.

            Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You that You are still with us today – in our hearts.

Advent Devotional Reading Day 7

Day Seven

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28b).

      Considering everything that Mary was facing, it was important for her to be assured that the Lord was with her. She would not have to face the future alone. Neither do you. God loves you more than you know. He highly favors you, and is with you.

      Prayer: O God, thank You for your favor. Thank you for being with me.

Advent Devotional Ready Day 6

Day Six

“Joseph, a descendant of David” (Luke 1:27b).

      Luke was careful to record Joseph’s ancestry. After all, the promise had been given to David and his ancestors – people like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – that One would come and bless the whole world. That One was Jesus. God always keeps His promises. You can count on it.

      Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to remember, when tempted to doubt, that You are always faithful.

Advent Devotional Day 5

Day Five

“. . . to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (Luke 1:27a).       

      In only a dozen words, Luke introduces us to the two main characters in the Christmas story. Mary, a virgin, and Joseph, a carpenter, were about to have their world turned upside down. Because they were willing to cooperate with God’s plan, our world can turn right side up.

      Prayer: Father, like Mary and Joseph, help me to cooperate with Your plan.

Advent Devotional Reading Day 4

Day Four

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee” (Luke 1:26).

      God sent his angel Gabriel to a specific place, a town called Nazareth. He knew where Mary was, and He knows where you are. No matter where you go, He will find you. And if you are open to Him, He will speak to you in your innermost being.

      Prayer: O God, speak to me at the point of my need. I am listening with my whole heart.

Advent Devotional Day 3

Day Three

“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18).

      God understands the problem of loneliness. He did not want Adam to be lonely. Adam also needed a helper, someone on his level, yet uniquely different. So God created woman. His intent is that we work together to be better than either would be alone.

      Prayer: Lord, help me to gain a new appreciation of the wonderful relationship between husband and wife

Tuesday Thoughts

"We must use time creatively and forever realize that time is always hope to do great things."

 - Martin Luther King Jr.

When I read the quote above my first thought is new years resolutions.   They are ways that we use our time to hope to do great things.   This is the church calendar new year and this week our lesson for Advent is on Hope.   Hope.  I have lots of hopes.   I have lots of dreams.  I hope that I use my time to do great things and that I use it creatively.   I know that there are times, okay many times, that I fail at this.   But I also know that with God on my side He can change any mess into something great.  I got a text from a mom of a toddler and she was worried she was messing up as a mother.  Potty training wasn't going well at that moment and the toddler was having a well to put it quickly a toddler moment.   Creative use of time.   It's what our children crave.  Pinterest is full of amazing idea of how to use our time creative and to help our children do great things.

http://growingcreativekids.com/


How are you using your time creatively this week?

Advent Devotional Day 2

Day Two

“. . . you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17a).

      Life is made up of choices. Some things we can do and some we should not do. God gave Adam and Eve only one choice to make. What could be simpler? But when they began to question God, they began to get into trouble. Be sure to make good choices.

      Prayer: Dear God of the universe, help me to make the right decisions every day.

Advent Devotional Day One

Day One

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden” (Genesis 2:15a).

      Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment. Sometimes our environment is negative and drags us down, and we may need to change it. But beware of saying, “If I only had a better environment.” A perfect place did not keep Adam and Even from making disastrous choices.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me to live for You right where I am.

Turkey Day Thought

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Tuesday Thoughts

This week we have suffered a great loss in our church and community.   The first time I met Jeff a little over a year ago he and I chuckled over my lack of football knowledge.  I have enjoyed my conversation with him about life and his family.   One thing that I loved about Jeff was that no matter what obstacle he was facing.  He prayed.   He asked questions.   He seeked a deeper relationship with Christ.  This week as everyone shares their stories and memories of this great man there is one theme that I see, he loved others and God.  That is the best testimony and legacy anyone can leave.

What legacy are you leaving your children?  

Saying Goodbye

Coach Robbins was a great husband, father and an amazing leader in our community. He will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with Tatum and the family during this time.




Funeral Information for Jeff Robbins:
Tuesday, November 18 - Visitation from 2 - 9 at Bosley Funeral Home
Wednesday, November 19 - Funeral at LUMC 11am





Parents... A few thoughts on grief for you:

1. No one grieves the same. Everyone has their own pace through grief. It is good to encourage each other to talk, cry, be silent or even laugh.

2. It is is a deep hurt when someone dies. The closer the person is to us the deeper it hurts.

3. There are five stages to the grieving process but they are not set in stone. Some people stay in one stage longer or jump around. There is no set order or process of going through the stages of grief. The five stages are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

4. Remember that we don't know what the other person is thinking or feeling. We can have an idea but we are not in their shoes. Offer to listen, pray with them, tell them that you love them and let them know that you are hurting too.

5. Share stories and your feelings with them. Children and youth learn from us how to grieve the loss of a loved one. We can learn and grow together.

6. Allow them to ask questions and don't be afraid to answer them honestly. Address fears and feelings as they come up.

7. Expect their behaviors to change and remember they are a normal part of grief.

8. Remember that children and youth are more resilient than we expect. Don't be surprised if they move ahead quickly after a loss of someone they love.

Romans 8:26-27, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (NIV)

Tuesday Thought

Sticky Topics .... Sticky Questions 

In youth we are tackling some sticky topic questions.   This past week we talked about is Jesus the only way to Heaven/God.  The week before we talked about does the Bible contradict itself and talked about the differences between the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection.  This week our sticky topic is life styles.  

Sticky questions can be difficult to deal with.  Our children seem to come up with them at the most unusual moments.  Those times when you aren't prepared.  Like standing in the check out line or right after a rough day.  They come to us wanting and expecting us to have all the answers.  Sometimes we don't have all the answers.  And that is okay.   They also expect us to be honest with them when we don't know something.  To search for the answer together sometimes can be more of a teaching moment than for us to just give them an answer.

Children are questioners.  If we treat this right we will create a child who is not afraid to ask questions and will be a life long learner.

This week have your children to ask you questions.  If this is new they may not have questions at first but allow them to think and even give them an example of a question you might have had at their age. For younger children when they ask that "why" question answer them and encourage them to keep asking questions.   This encouragement can begin by asking them questions.  Also, don't be afraid to say I don't know but lets look it up or ask someone who might know.





Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe. 

–Augustine

Tuesdays Thought

Well it is November and the Facebook month of thanks has started. I think being thankful is important to teach our children.  I feel that we often focus on the negatives of life and forget to be thankful for the small things.  

So cause I know I won't be able to do this on a daily bases, cause I always miss a day :) here is my month of thanksgiving...

 

1. Thankful for my family

2. Thankful for the fall leaves that remind us that change isn't always bad but can be beautiful too

3. Thankful for animals and their unconditional love

4. Thankful for camp 

5. Thankful for books to expand our minds and travel the world in

6. Thankful for Netflix :)

7. Thankful for phones and texting 

8. Thankful for rocking chairs

9. Thankful for people who are willing to use their gifts without reservation

10. Thankful for my youth girls and all their sassy charm

12.  Thankful for warm blankets

13. Thankful for friends near and far

14. Thankful for my church family

15.  Thankful for my youth boys who always keep me on my toes

16. Thankful for a home and a building to do ministry in

17. Thankful for the community that I love and the one I work in

18. Thankful for the laughter of children

19. Thankful for the deep questions that children ask

20. Thankful for soft hugs 

21. Thankful for the prayers of our toddlers

22. Thankful for the snuggles of a baby

23. Thankful for swings

24. Thankful for peppermint and baby wipes and pineapple juice

25. Thankful for laughter and tears

26. Thankful for health and doctors

27. Thankful for toys and puppets

28. Thankful for vans that carry our kids to and from church

29. Thankful for the support from others

30. Thankful for being able to wake up each day and learn more about God and share that knowledge with others

Trunk or Treat 2014!!

Thank you to all who helped make this years Trunk or Treat a huge success!

Tuesday Thoughts

Looking at the blog to do some updates and realized I never pressed publish on Tuesday!  Please forgive me ... here is our Tuesday Thought ...

This past weekend I went to see one of our youth in a play.  I love being able to share those moments with our children and youth.   Our church is full of very talented people including our youth!  As leaders and caregivers we have the joy of helping the children in our lives to see their God given potential.  This week focus on your child's gifts and talents.  Help them to find a way to use their gifts each day.  You will find them to be happier and fulfilled.

http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/youth  - Youth

http://cozmtzion.weebly.com/uploads/9/9/1/6/991676/92739299-youth-spiritual-gifts-test-1.pdf - Kids

Perserverance

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Things don't always go exactly as we plan it.  Trips to the grocery store usually end up with at least one item or two that wasn't on the list.  Projects at work sometimes take a different turn than we were expecting.  Our plans for our children are the same way.  We have all these big goals and ideas in our mind of where we want our children to be by the time they turn 18.  Sometimes they work out the way we think but then other times life gets in the way of our plans.   Cancer or some other disease breaks into our perfectly knit plan.  Drugs or just plan old disobedience breaks the ties we worked so diligently to build.  It can cause us to want to give up.  Perseverance through these times and a true focus on what God wants us to do is the key to getting through life's ups and downs and twists and turns.  
A friend of mine recently lost his child after a few months of being able to hold their precious miracle.   Born with "defects" they knew he was only with them for a short time.  He recently posted he was having a rough day.  We gathered around him in prayer and he said he needed to persevere through this storm.  That the grace of God was bigger than his sorrow.  
Our children struggle with these ups and downs to.  They even at young ages have dreams.  We as adults sometimes forget this and try to give them our dreams.   It takes time to allow them to live out their dreams.  It takes patience as we watch them fail and it takes a caring spirit to help them stand back up and try again.    The video below is of this.   It shows what perseverance can achieve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1D2YuNnpqk

52 weeks

It may sound like a lot when you hear it but 52 weeks is short and flies by.  This week I took a bit of time and spent it with a few of our college students.  As we walked the city of Savannah I was smacked with a reality that they are grown up.  They are planning their lives and it isn't just a dream but they are realities that are being set.   

Time is slowly slipping away.  In a few years they will be paying bills on their own spreading the wings that we hope have been built on a good foundation.  But what if the faith and morals we have set in their lives didn't stick?   

Questioning and worrying about their future as we raise them I think is healthy and keeps us in check but we have to also lean on God for comfort and peace about where our children will be when they reach their adult years.  

As I live my life as an example for these kids and youth I pray that God will help them to use all the lessons they have been taught, remember all the morals they have been shown and listen to all the leading of the Holy Spirit.  

It was good to see some of the youth that have moved away for various reasons.  To see where life has taken them and to allow them to show us where they are now.  Good trip with good memories.  Investing time into our future is never wasted.

It was also great to teach them a bit of the Methodist history and introduce them to John.  Who looks well for his age ;)

Tuesdays Tweet

This month we are focusing on Media in the youth ministry.  The good, the bad and the ugly of Media.   I know that I am attached to my phone.  Between work, friends and family I almost always have someone to talk to or email to respond to.   If you allow it the technology will take over your world.  It will create an atmosphere where all you think about is that next tweet.

I saw a video on Facebook the other day of a child being born and it went straight to using technology and left its parents behind in the hospital.   We are not far from that.  We place phones in our babies hands to keep them occupied.  Our children use them and I dare say know more about technology than we do.  A few years ago I had to start taking phones away from kids before kids worship.  Our world is so fast pace our children crave those moments of slowness.  They may not tell you but their attitudes and actions will.  This week take a night an leave the phones at home.  I'm sure you will be okay and everyone else will to.

For our tweens and youth the phone and other technologies are great tools for them but can also be very dangerous.   Having a phone or iPod is a privilege and should be treated that way.  When I was a nanny I made each of the girls in my care sign a contract about their phone usage.  Here is an example of one:http://stickyfaith.org/family/blog/cell-phone-contract

This month our youth will be learning the fun things with technology and also the bad things.  On Sunday October 26 at 6pm we are going to have a movie night and will be showing the movie Finding Faith.  It was released last year and is based on a true story of internet safety.   You can find out more about the movie at this website: http://findingfaithfilm.com/   I would recommend that parents come and watch this movie with us.   If you can't come on that night the movie is on Netflix.

October Newsletter

 

Tuesday Challenge

It is said that it takes about 40 days to create a habit.  Forty continues days that is.  Not a few here and a few there. Month and a week to start something doesn't sound to hard till you get to day 21.  The halfway point has past and although the end of the 40 days is in sight the temptation to drop it is so powerful.   Over the summer I did the love dare with a friend.  We got to the halfway point and almost gave up but we encouraged each other and pushed each other through the rough days.  And at the end of the 40 days we had lost count of our days mentally just the calendar reminded us of our milestone.

As we get into the fall the temptation to sleep in or to stay home is almost more than we can handle.  To drive back to church on a Sunday evening seems so hard.  We get out of our routine of coming to church and it is hard to get back into it.  There is a great risk of never getting back into the habit for our children.   If we don't instill into them the habit of going to church and fellowshipping with other believers they will stray from the path.  It takes 40 days to create a habit and 1 day to break it.

While working in lexington I worked with the AA group that met in our building.  One of the men told me it would take one sip for him to go back to drinking.  That he had to change his whole routine to get sober.  One trip down his old routine and he would be back to his old habits again.  I think in a way that is true for us. I know it is for me.

If there is a habit that you need to get back into or maybe one you need to stop.  For the next forty days focus on that goal.  And help your children to do find a habit to work on.  Maybe it is saying a prayer before school or reading a story before bed or attending church more regularly. Make it an achievable goal.  Mark a calendar, set an alarm and tell others so they can hold you accountable.  

We can achieve so much more together. And remember it only takes 40 days to build a habit!

Thinking Tuesdays

Over the weekend I took a few youth to the Judgement House.   If you want to hear my thoughts on that please ask but there was a piece of that experience that reminded me of what I have been saying over the last couple years.   "When you see how much time you have left, you tend to do more with the time you have now."   We are only given a certain number of weeks and days with our children.   We have the opportunity to either invest in them or to waste away our time.  There is a song called "Live Like You Were Dying."  I wonder what our world would be like, what our churches would be like, how our bank accounts would look if we all lived like we are going to die soon.   Over my years of ministry I have sat with parents who were begging God for just one more day with their child.  They would give anything to have more time.  They see how much time is left and are treasuring the moments.   One particular family asked their child what they wanted to do before they died.   Made a list.  And they checked each thing off one by one.  There was no consideration of how their employers would respond.  There was no "when I get off work we will do something."   They didn't have to wait for a vacation time to come up.   They just went.   The child's list was sweet and simple.   And as I examined this list it was evident that this dying child just wanted what every other child wants.   Time.   Wanted to be able to spend time with his family.   Unconditional time.   No phones.  No TV.   No work.  No friends coming and interrupting.   Just them.

Almost every problem can be solved with time. If your child is whining, grumpy or angry all the time.  Give them one on one time each day.  About an hour if possible.   Even 20 minutes would be good.  And this is time with just them.  No other children.  No other friends.  Just them. It isn't easy to do.  And you will have interruptions sometimes but your child will greatly improve their behavior.  

Some of you might already do this.   Some of you might be trying to do this and are having trouble finding the time.  Some of you may be reading this and are thinking you do it but really don't.   Some people never got past the first line of this blog.   This week I want you to focus on your calendar.   Watch the clock.  Not for your job.  Not for when your favorite TV show comes on.  But for your children.   Make time for them that isn't taking them to their sporting events and doing homework.  Both of which are important.  However, find time where you can sit with your child.  Listen to them.  Hear their concerns, their struggles, their joys and their dreams.  

Having trouble starting that conversation?   Ask them three questions, how are you doing?   how is your walk with God?  what are you going to do about it?

Tuesdays Thoughts

                "People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing".  Dale Carnegie

Everyone is has their own gifts that God has given them.   Their own dreams that they are designed to follow.   This past Sunday in youth we had a Disney themed day where we talked about the life lessons we can learn from Disney but also our dreams.   We made our own Adventure Books filled with some of the dreams we have.   

      

As we were talking one of the youth said "I don't dream."   I asked why not and soon realized she was told not to.  As we worked through that I was reminded of the quote above.   People will not succeed if it is not something they like.  I have watched parents try to live their lives through their children instead of allowing their child to choose their own paths.  It is so easy to tell a child no this is what you really should do cause you'll make more money as an adult or you will gain more experiences.   

We as adults sometimes choose things not because they are fun or what we are gifted in but because it is what outside forces say we should do.  Many people dread going to work because of this very reason.  It isn't fun or what brings them fulfilment.   God had designed each of us for specific tasks.   These tasks will bring us great joy to do.  There will always be bad moments cause we live in a fallen world.  But if what you are doing is fun and what God has called you to do, you will succeed.  

This week is a simple week.  As your child what they like to do.  Even your two year old.  Give them time during the day to do that in which makes them happy.   And you do the same thing.  Make sure it is God honoring and you will see a shift in attitudes.   It is amazing how a little bit of fun and fulfilment can do for a persons attitude and out look on life.

  

Glee week 3 and 4

So my computer died and I am a bit behind on stuff so here is our Glee lessons from week 3 and 4....

Lesson 3 -  Born this Way?

“The thing you most want to change about yourself is the most interesting part of you.”   God made you beautiful and unique; there is no part of you that is a mistake.

We watched season 2 episode 18.  

First question:   Santana said that if you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see then you should chane it.   Agree or disagree?   How would you respond to her if she said this to you?

Second question:  Mr. Schuester said that the “thing you most want to change about yourself is the most interesting part of you.”  And Mercedes said “the thing that makes you different is the thing people use to crush your spirit.” Is your school the same way?

Third question: Do you have a place where you feel people appreciate you for your differences? Where? Youth group? Sports team? Dance class? With certain friends?

Fourth question:  Mercedes says that Glee Club has no problem with acceptance, that they love each other. Mr. Schuester says they love each other but they do not love themselves. Do you think it is easier to love differences in other people or in yourself? Why? Do you pick out the differences in others or do you just see them as people?

Fifth question:  Quinn brags to Rachel about how beautiful Quinn is but then she sings about feeling unpretty. We later find out Quinn has had a nose job herself. Do you think the people who you see as beautiful feel the same way about themselves or are they insecure too? How does it make you feel to know that everyone is insecure about something?

Sixth question: When you try to change something about yourself, you’re just announcing to the world, “I don’t like myself very much” Do you think this is true?

Seventh question: Tina says that she realizes that she needs to “be the change you want to see in the world,” (Gandhi). How does this view relate to our own insecurities?

Eighth question:  The lyrics to “Born this Way” say, “I’m beautiful in my way, ‘cause God makes no mistakes/I’m on the right track, baby I was born this way.” What does it mean to say God makes no mistakes and you were born this way? How does that change the way you view yourself?

Read Psalm 139: 1-3, 13-16

This Scripture talks about God creating us each individually. If we really believe that the God who created the universe and called it good but called humans very good has personally created each of us to be just the way we are, then it’s hard to think of ourselves as ugly or flawed like society tells us we should. This belief is paralleled in the lyrics from “Born This Way”: “I’m beautiful in my way, ‘cause God makes no mistakes/I’m on the right track, baby I was born this way.” Realizing that God made you and God made beautiful things is the first step in learning to love every part of yourself.  What does it mean to say that God has searched us, knows us, and is familiar with all our ways (verses 1-3)? How does it feel to know that God already knows everything about you?  What does it mean to believe that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (verse 14)?  How do you feel knowing that “all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed” (verse 16)?  How does this Scripture relate to the clips from Glee for this week?  How does the Scripture relate to our lives?  What does it look like to live a life that says, “I’m proud of who God created me to be?”

Action: Everyone make a t-shirt with the things on it that you wish you could change.  What makes you who you are. 

Lesson 4…. You Could Be the Answer To Someone’s Prayer

  We watched  season  2 episode 3

1.       Kurt felt alone and hopeless when his mother died.  Have you ever felt the same way?

2.       What kept Kurt going when he had no hope?  Does love keep you going when you feel despair?

3.       The guidance counselor tells Finn that God doesn’t always answer prayers and sometimes the answers are just coincidences.  Is that true?  Does God always answer prayers?  Does God ever say no or not now?

4.       Why do some people have miraculous healings and other people just die when they get sick, even though both were prayed for?

5.       When Finn realized that his prayer were not being answered, he freaked out.  Have you ever felt the same?

6.       Had God ever answered your prayers? How?

7.       Do you ever feel like God doesn’t care?  Like God is distant?                      

8.       Why did Mercedes make such a big deal about Kurt going to church?

9.       What would you do to convince Kurt to come to church?

10.   Why is it important to invite people to church?

The Verses – Scriptures

Read Luke 4:18-19; 9:10-17

 We don’t often see God “in the world” because many (most?) Christians don’t act like Christians to the people who need God. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus made it very clear why he came to Earth: to help the oppressed in every way. If we are to be like Christ, then shouldn’t we also bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed? Shouldn’t we, then, look for ways to be the answer to someone’s prayer? To the homeless man on the corner, shouldn’t we at least give him a second glance? And perhaps a meal? To the battered woman and child, shouldn’t we help get them to a safe place? The poor, the blind, the captives, the oppressed don’t often ask outright for help. If we open our eyes to their needs, maybe we will be the answers to their prayers, however small those prayers might be. If we pray to God, not for what we need but for what someone else needs, then will we be living as Christ lived?

In Luke 9:10-17, the disciples had plenty of doubt that they could feed 5,000 people who had come to be healed and to hear Jesus speak. When they put their faith in Jesus and did what he asked them to do, the disciples became the answer to hungry people’s prayers. Throughout the four Gospels, Jesus sends the disciples and other followers of Christ to go out from their homes to heal the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Those who were healed were crying out for God; when they were healed, their prayers were answered. Their answers came in the form of disciples—of regular men who were fishermen, even tax collectors. Those “regular guys” trusted Jesus and followed his will to spread the good news and became the answer to people’s prayers.

1. According to Luke 4:18-19, why did Jesus come to Earth?

2. If we are supposed to be Christ-like then how should we practice being like Christ?

3. What keeps us as Christians from living like Luke 4:18-19?

4. In Luke 9:10-17 the disciples wanted to send the people away to go eat, but Jesus didn’t. What kept the disciples from helping the hungry people? Where those just excuses?

5. Do we make excuses today on why not to help people? What excuses have you heard or even said yourself?

6. What did Jesus do to overcome the disciples’ excuses? How can Jesus help us overcome our excuses?

7. Jesus wants us to be the answers to people’s prayers. Using the clip that we saw, how could you be the answers to Kurt’s, Finn’s, and everyone else’s prayers?

8. Where was Jesus in all the pain and suffering in the clip?

9. Would your church be like Mercedes’ church? How were their actions Christ-like?

10. How can you be the answer to someone else’s prayer?

11. If we all decided to be the answer to people’s prayers, how would school and youth group be different?

On a rock write the name of someone who you are going invite to church.

In the clip, we saw that every person in the episode struggled with their faith and with trusting God, but when Mercedes and her church stepped up and lived out their prayers that the students found solace. This goes to show that we will all struggle and we need to be there for each other, just as Jesus is always there for us.

Tuesday Challenge

Tribes

Each of us is part of a tribe (family) and our tribes mix together as we get married, join church and even friendships. This means you are part of more than just one tribe. Each tribe has their own special characteristics.  Each tribe has their own set of expectations.   Every tribe has its problems, big and small.   Every tribe and tribe member has gifts and talents to share with the tribe and outside the tribe.

I believe that God has given us these tribes to help us in many ways.  They are our safety net that we can fall back on when times are tough.   Whether good or bad, they are the ones who build our foundations when we are young.  As we get older they help us refine our skills and life goals.   Hopefully, they give us the tools we need to be successful on our Spiritual Journey.   I've never been a huge fan of the Duck Dynasty show but what I am a huge fan of is how they live as a tribe.   They work together, play together and eat together.   But most importantly pray and go to church together.
Their expectations are set high for each other and they hold each other accountable.

Being a part of a tribe isn't easy.  However, it is rewarding.   Confrontations have to happen for the tribe to grow and to stay in unity.  No one really like to have to confront someone with something that might be painful to both but we need to put aside fear and thoughts of failure to be the iron sharpening iron.   One of the hardest things I do is to have to correct a child when they are doing something they think is right.   We work through the embarrassment and the pain to come out with an outcome much better than allowing them to continue.   Same with your family tribe.   There will be conflict, not everyone will agree with what is happening and when.  Some will have different opinions one what is best to have for dinner or how a situation should be handles.   And that is okay. We sometimes have to agree to disagree on something.  But always support even if you don't agree.   A child's college choice may not be what you wanted or them dropping out of a sport.  But we must support them and help them through their decisions.  Guiding and correcting in love and support without criticizing them.

As we look at our tribes and the expectations we have for the members in it.   We then have to think are they realistic expectations?  Are they trying to meet those expectations or are intentionally ignoring them?   Have the expectations been explained in a way that the tribe members can understand?   Have they been reminded of those expectations or is it assumed that they know?

I see my ministry as a tribe.   I see all the children, youth and young adults in the ministry as tribe members.   Their are expectations that they have for me and me for them.   We sometimes make mistakes and mess up.   Our expectations are sometimes to high for each other.   At times we get frustrated with each other when we forget to explain the expectations clearly.   And their are moments when we celebrate with each other because everyone was on the same page.   But at the end of the day I remind myself and them that we are all part of one tribe - the Body of Christ.   He is the head of this tribe and He will guide us and give us expectations.   He will help us as we grow and learn.  

As we go through the next week how are you going to hold your tribe accountable?

52 Week Challenge

This week I would like for us to focus on comfort.  Bad things happen.  It is a part of life.  This past week we remembered my sisters homecoming two years ago and I watched a friend lose their first born child.   As we watched my sister slip into the hands of God, I never questioned Him.   I only clung to the comfort only He can give.   As my friend spent long nights in the hospital with her son wondering if he was going to live or die she questioned where God was but knew His hand was on them.

Psalm 119: 76 says" Let your steadfast love become my comfort"

During times when life is rocky it is sometimes hard for us to be a comfort for our children.  We ourselves are craving comfort and sometimes have little to share.

The first thing we can do is stop and listen to each other.   Let your children tell you their feelings, don't tell them what they are feeling but let them share what is on their heart. 

Next is to just give them time.   Sometimes we just need time and space.  Don't push them to cuddle with you or to talk to you.

Don't hide the facts from them, don't feed them half-truths.   During trails don't try to protect them from things that you think might hurt them.  When it comes to sharing information, allow them to ask questions and don't be afraid to answer them.  A good friend of mine lost her second child when she was eight months pregnant.  As a family they walked through the grief process and their five year old son was involved with all the process.  He helped with the funeral and was allowed to say goodbye to his baby sister in the hospital. 

Comfort comes in many forms.  Everyone needs to be comforted in different ways.  Some people have to talk it out, others just need to be held, while others need to do something. 

Comforting others isn't easy sometimes and doesn't come naturally to all of us.  Fear gets in our way of reaching out to someone who is in need of being comforted.  Our own need for comfort can be a stumbling block.  

This week seek out someone outside of your family.  Take the kids with you and show them love and comfort.  If you don't know of someone we have a list of shutins that are always in need of a friendly visit.

Spread love everywhere you go; first of all in your house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. – Mother Teresa

Tonight!!

Tuesdays Challenge

**Reminder that this is said to challenge us and to help us grow closer to God. We all have things in our lives that we need to work on. Let's work on it together. Let us help our children to grow to be better Christians than we have been. Use the mistakes we have made to teach our children to not follow those same mistakes.

How Committed Are You?

I love baptisms. I love to watch families dedicate their lives to raising their children in a Christ filled environment. It is the same feeling I get when someone joins the church. They are dedicating themselves to the church with their time, talents and financial support. My question this week is how committed to the church are you? Are you showing your children that commitment?

Let’s start by looking at the baptismal covenant.


The minister addresses the congregation:
Dearly beloved, baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, through which grace we become partakers of his righteousness and heirs of life eternal. Those receiving the Sacrament are thereby marked as Christian disciples and initiated into the fellowship of Christ’s holy Church. Our Lord has expressly given to little children a place among the people of God, which holy privilege must not be denied them. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, how he said, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Dear friends, I present child’s name for Holy Baptism. May this be a time of joy for him/her and his/her parents.

The minister addresses the parents:
Beloved, do you, in presenting this child for Holy Baptism, confess your faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Parents: We do!

Do you therefore accept as your bounden duty and privilege to live before this child a life which becomes the Gospel; to exercise all godly care that she be brought up in the Christian faith, that she be taught the Holy Scriptures, and that she learn to give reverent attendance upon the private and public worship of God?

Parents: We do!

Will you endeavor to keep this child under the ministry and guidance of the Church until she, by the power of God, shall accept for herself the gift of salvation, and be confirmed as a full and responsible member of Christ’s holy Church?

Parents: We will!

The minister receives the child and addresses the parents:

What name is given to the child?

Then, repeating the child’s name, though not including the surname says:

Child’s name, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The minister addresses the congregation:

Do you, as a congregation, accept the responsibility of assisting these parents in fulfillment of the baptismal vows, and do you undertake to provide facilities and opportunities for Christian nurture and fellowship?

The Congregational Covenant:

With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround child’s name with a community of love and forgiveness that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for child’s name, that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.





Okay let’s break this down and see what it is that each of us has committed to.

Beloved, do you, in presenting this child for Holy Baptism, confess your faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
This one is pretty obvious. Do you have Jesus?

Romans 10:13 says that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

God came to save us all, not just a few people or the righteous people. He came to save us all. John 3:16 says that “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

We all have sinned and separated ourselves from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

The sad reality is that sin does separate us from God. We can choose to live a life of sin or to turn away from that and to accept this free gift of salvation offered by Christ.

So this question is asking simply do you accept you’re a sinner? Do you believe that Jesus died for those sins on the cross? Do you confess him as your Lord and Savior?

Do you therefore accept as your bounden duty and privilege to live before this child a life which becomes the Gospel; to exercise all godly care that she be brought up in the Christian faith, that she be taught the Holy Scriptures, and that she learn to give reverent attendance upon the private and public worship of God?

This one will take a bit more work to break it down. First is our bounden duty and privilege to live before this child a life which becomes the Gospel. Are we walking the talk?

Deuteronomy 6: 1 – 9 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fearthe Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Ephesians 6:4 says warns fathers “do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

There is a warning to those who lead children astray and do not teach them. Mark 9:42 says that “if anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

A millstone is a huge stone used for grinding wheat and other grains.  Something that many who lived during that time would understand as something heavy.

It specifically talks though in this part of the liturgy about how we live. Are you serving in the church each week? Are you reading your Bible? Are you avoiding temptations? Are you loving your enemies? Are you showing love to your family, even on days you don’t want to? Are you attending church services and a Bible study each week?

It is so easy for us to put ourselves first. To get angry at the driver in front of us. To think, I am too busy to carve out an hour this week to work with a ministry within the church. We slip into that thought pattern that you are loving to those around you, that is good enough. We all do it, I even do it. But the Bible makes it clear that we will be judged for what we have been given to take care of. The example we set for our children is one of those things. I know that I don’t always set the best example for the youth and children that are in my realm of influence. Sometimes I get frustrated when driving the van and say out loud “the peddle on the right!” Sometimes I don’t show kids/ youth all the love I should. I make excuses of why I missed a game of theirs. And I think God understands that we aren’t perfect but as long as we are trying to do our best. He will help us do the rest.

to exercise all godly care that she be brought up in the Christian faith, that she be taught the Holy Scriptures, and that she learn to give reverent attendance upon the private and public worship of God?

Is church a priority in your life? Do you figure out ways in which you can have a devotional with your child each day? And to attend a public worship service? Do you pray with your child?

Priorities… I was proud of one of our youth last Sunday as he walked into the youth room sweaty from being at a game and a little late but still made it his priority to be at youth group. I was thrilled as one of our children came into children’s worship with a friend because they were having a sleepover and she knew she still needed to go to church. It made my heart proud to hear that a youth gave up going to practice to attend our Wednesday night activities. Behind each of those kids and youth is a parent who has taught them that their priority should be God. God first and everything else after that. That includes sports. That includes video games. That includes shopping. We all at times put something else before God. And I know that I stepped on toes with that statement. However, if we allow our children to put their sports and friends before church we are telling them that when they get older they don’t have to go to church. Really. We are. People ask me all the time why aren’t the youth of today in the church. Well, let’s look back at our history. It is now okay to have games and practice on Sunday and Wednesday. We no longer allow our children to pray or have their Bibles in school. We spend so much time filling our time so we are just sitting around that we have pushed God and the church to the category of “if I have time this week.”

I had a young mother of six come to me in my office all stressed out and was frustrated that I was asking her to volunteer in the children’s worship time. “That is my time to be away from my children and it is your responsibility to teach our kids about Christ.” Wow… we have one hour a week if we are lucky as a church to train your children in the way they should go. You have hundreds and thousands of hours to make an impact on your child’s spiritual life.

I’m not saying sports are bad or that putting kids in all these after school activities are harmful. I’m saying we need a balance. We need to help our children and youth to see that God needs to be number one in our life.

I just got a text from a youth asking if she could come hang out at church after school. I asked about practice and the other afterschool things she has. Her response…. “I would rather be at church than those activities. They are fun but will only last for a while, God lasts forever.” I didn’t teach her that by my words but by my actions.

If you sit through a lesson or service on your phone, you’re setting a priority in the lives of the children/ youth around you that it is okay to not pay attention during a service and that church is boring. If you are critical of everything in the church or any then you are slowly teaching your children / youth to be critical of everything.

Our actions, this includes mine, are being watched by little eyes who are learning from them.



Will you endeavor to keep this child under the ministry and guidance of the Church until she, by the power of God, shall accept for herself the gift of salvation, and be confirmed as a full and responsible member of Christ’s holy Church?

This is saying that after you baptize your baby you can’t just stop coming to church. Baptism is the first step in a long journey of salvation. By the time the child is a teenager they should be given the opportunity to say yes to being a full member of the church. Through a class called confirmation, confirming the teaching they have been taught over the years.

We can’t just check it off as though it is a to do list.

Baptize kid – Check

Put them through confirmation – Check

There is a whole bunch of stuff that must happen in between those. Sunday school, missions, church services, allowing them to ask the deep questions, surrounding them with believers and many other things.

Last is the congregations commitment. It isn’t just about your responsibility but it is about the Church as a wholes responsibility.

With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround child’s name with a community of love and forgiveness that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for child’s name, that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.

We can’t do this alone. We can’t change our priorities or anything without God’s help. He is the one we need to turn to. As parents and as a congregation we need to constantly be on our knees asking God to help us with the raising of these children. The churches future depends on it. Our children’s eternity depends on it.


This week before you do anything honestly pray about if it is God’s will. I will be doing the same thing and as we realign our priorities together lets hold each other accountable. Ask each other, how is your priorities this week? Are you fulfilling the commitment you made the day that had your child baptized? And any other question to help each other to grow.

Tuesday! The Impact of our Words

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Words are impactful. Words can either make us or break us. Interesting fact about words is that women can speak up to 20,000 words a day compared to men who speak about 7,000 words. (http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/09/24/sex_on_the_brain/)

During the day we use our words for gaining and giving information. This can be through sharing stories, asking questions, giving answers to questions and many other things. Children are full of questions and love to share information. How we respond to them will impact how they will communicate later. Our communication styles do impact our children.

I had a mother once bring her child to my office. She told me that he was being disrespectful and was not listening to her. That when they talked he would shout at her. I asked many questions but came to the conclusion after having dinner with them one night that he was responding to how he was being taught to communicate. When he was spoken to it was in a loud demanding tone. So that is how he responded back which in turn made the parent respond that way and it just escalated from there. Then when he was speaking or telling a story at the dinner table the parents were half listening at best. After a few months of learning to communicate with each other the family was functioning better. They were slowly understanding each other better. When we speak kind words to each other and communicate then we are better able to love each other. The way that we use our words with our children will be the way that they use their words back to us.

Kind words stay with us for a long time. I have a box full of notes and cards that when I am having a bad day can go and look through. I still remember the sweet comments people have made to me over the years but it seems that bad comments stick with us longer. It takes twelve good comments to make up for one bad one. If all someone hears in negatives then they themselves will become negative. “Bad emotions, bad parents and bad feedback have more impact than good ones. Bad impressions and bad stereotypes are quicker to form and more resistant to disconfirmation than good ones.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/your-money/why-people-remember-negative-events-more-than-positive-ones.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

If we want our children to be positive and to communicate positive things then we need to be pouring more positives into them. Negative comments have to happen. We must correct our children to help them grow but it is all in the way you say it. If you continually tell a child they are stupid then eventually they will say they are and act like they are. If you tell a child that you know they can do better and then help them to succeed. They will grow and will in turn help others grow. Praising them when you see them do something good is the way to start. They will walk in the way you teach them.


Here is a good article on how to talk to your children: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/publications/22-649.pdf

The main thing are: To love your children unconditionally. Speak kind words to them over time they will begin to change. Tell them each day that you love them Speak and act the way that you want them to speak and act. Believe in your child not just say I think you can do it but believe it in your heart and mind. Share with them your stories and struggles. Appologies when you do something wrong. Don’t be afraid to confess when you messed up to your kid. Make sure your speaking clear and kind words. Remember that your child is unique and not like you. They may need to be praised differently or communicated with differently than you or your other children. Pray before you speak or correct your child. Consistently speak in calm and loving tones. If you are unsure ask your kids if you sound angry or loving. Thank them regularly for what they are doing and ask for them to thank others. Don’t hold mistakes over them. Help them learn from them and to know how to apologies when they do make mistakes.


This week as you are talking to your child, praise them. If you want adopt what we have adopted in the youth ministry. Say 10 nice things about them every day. To them and then create a journal with those things written down for them to read when they are sad and need to be reminded of the good things.